Hi, I keep poundering an issue I have to resolve to proceed with a 400 sq ft flooring job in my house. Presently, the floor is linoleum (non-asbestos) over plywood. First question, can I just nail hard wood flooring right over the linoleum. Using nails of sufficient length to catch the plywood? If I do this, do I need a felt or tarp underlayment, between the linoleum and hardwood boards? Second question, the linoleum floor is already higher, albeit less than 1/4", with an existing old wood floor it butts against. My wife (and I) are worried that if we use 3/4" wood (2 1/4" X 3/4") the height between the two floors will be excessive. We find there is a 5/16" thick solid wood board (2 1/4" x 5/16") made by Bruce. Would this be better to install over the linoleum? It logically would make the height differences less.

Thanks for any help you can provide or opinions.

Ben

It's no problem to nail the hardwood right over the lino.

If you went with 3/4" , it would be an acceptable transition height. You would install a "reducer" at that transition. The manuf. should have reducers to match the floor. You will probably have to use some felt paper under the edge of the reducer, meeting up to the hardwood, ( to make up the difference of the lino, 3/32" or so ). I hope I'm picturing the transition right.

Hmmmm?


Are you absolutely positive there is plywood, under the ¼" plywood underlayment, that the vinyl is attached to?

Something tells me, there is hardwood under the vinyl. Or they did build up the subfloor in the area, to try to meet the hardwood evenly.

Thank you both "Floorguy" and "Floorologist" for your input.

With respect to Floorguy's question: There is a point where the floor meets steps leading to a basement. I have removed a metal transition piece at the top of the step, which provides a cross-sectional view of the linoleum and underlayment. Under the linoleum is a thin, maybe 1/4" or 3/8" piece of plywood layed over another piece of thicker plywood approximately 1/2" to 5/8". The plywood is layed over unfinished boards that are nailed to the joists. Construction is circa 1923. Yes, my impression is they were trying to build up the floor to be near level with the abutting wood floor in an adjacent room.

Any opinion on the 5/16" (2 1/4" X 5/16") solid hard wood flooring from Bruce. Manufacturer states it can be buffed and re-urathaned multiple times, but can only be fully sanded to the point of bare wood one time.

Thanks,
Ben

built in 1923...

That makes me think at one time there was hardwood there.
Wood floors is what you got back then, when a home was built.

With that said, I'd go right over the linoleum/sheet vinyl(people get the confused with each other), with what ever wood you wish.

IMO the Bruce Natural Reflections is a good quality floor. Milled up nice, and has a great finish.